From: adam@address.invalid   
      
   Aragorn wrote:   
   > On Tuesday 31 July 2012 03:53, Adam conveyed the following to   
   > alt.os.linux.mandriva...   
   >> Would a simple test be: find a store with the model(s) you're   
   >> considering on display, reboot it (ctrl-alt-del), and either check   
   >> through the hardware setup settings or try to boot it from an   
   >> "unsigned" live CD?   
   >   
   > Again, there is no reason to assume that independent motherboard vendors   
   > would create their UEFI-based x86 motherboards without offering the   
   > option to disable Secure Boot   
   [...]   
   > Either way, motherboard vendors would be crazy to /not/ offer that option,   
   > because they'd be losing out on a lot of customers.   
   [...]   
   > the brand-name computer manufacturer selling the Microsoft-ized machines   
   > could decide to not support disabling Secure Boot.   
   >   
   > They could, but it would be very stupid of them to do so   
      
   Those are all opinions on your part.  I agree with them, but they're   
   still opinions on what ought to be done, not what is or will be happening.   
      
   > Either way, all of the above is of course only important if you are   
   > silly enough to purchase a brand-name PC which with Windows pre-   
   > installed and the Microsoft-approved stickers on them.   
      
   I do.  It assures me the components will all work together, and gives me   
   both a store and a manufacturer to go back to should anything be   
   unsatisfactory.  This brand uses industry-standard parts of decent quality.   
      
   >> Meanwhile, I'm wondering how long it will be before some cracker finds   
   >> and exploits some vulnerability in "secure boot", rendering it no more   
   >> secure than any other boot.   
   >   
   > They already have, by way of a "proof of concept" hack.   
      
   I have no doubt that will happen, if it hasn't already.  My opinion is   
   that calling it "secure boot" instead of "attempt to increase MS market   
   share" makes it sound like an improvement.  I think having to "disable   
   secure boot" will discourage some people from trying Linux.   
      
   Adam   
   --   
   Registered Linux User #536473   
      
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